rai

OK, we're all proud of our cars. I'm not saying the S2000 is the best car today or was the best car 7 years ago. However it is constantly reffered to in many other car reviews. I can't tell you how many times I'm reading about a Solstice or Z4 or Boxster etc.. when the S2000 comes up as point of reference.

For instance R&T (Z4) M roadster wrapped up by saying there are 4 verts in this $53-ish price range: M roadster, Boxster S, C6 and SLK55...but there will always be a group of people who will opt for a S2000 to get a capable sports car with about $20K savings. (something to that effect).

I think one aspect of the S2000 is that it's been 7 years going to the 8th soon with largely the same overall package. I4 with ~240hp with slick 6-MT. Basically always the same features (such as power top, HIDs, manual seats, etc..) and largely minus the same features (no Nav, no AT, no air-scarf/heated seats etc..) not saying some of those options wouldn't be nice but aside from stability control, the bump in TQ and moderate refress interior/exterior, the S2000 has remained very much like the car that came out in 1999.

To be sure it's not like the press is always saying the S2000 is better than such and such a car. But they say things like the shifter is xyz compared to the S2000. Or the handling is abc compared to the S2000, or the noise or the interior or the engine does this or that better or worse than the S2000.

Well just to go over what the S2000 had 7 years ago and by and large still has which other companies still don't do much better:

Shifter: one of the best now or then. I have driven Vette, Boxster, 911, NSX, M3, M5, SLK350, Z3 etc.. and they have some good shifters but none better than the S2000.

Engine: 120 hp/L was and still is near the best hp/L. I know thats all well and good and it lacks TQ and it doesn't get so much better mileage or performance than V8s or V6s. But HP/L is still respected. I mean M3, M5, F430, GT3, Elise, Gallardo, Enzo etc.. are the cars we are talking about with respect to high hp/L and there is something about 8 or 9K rpms with respect to sound/feel of an engine.

Value: it's not the cheapest and it's not the lightest and it's not the most powerful. but it hits a sweet spot of ~$31K ~2900 lbs and ~240hp which I don't think there are any other cars. Elise is lighter but more costly. Miatia is cheaper but slower, the 350Z is more powerful but heavier, etc...

Body Structure: don't know the numbers, but the S2000 feels remarkably tight for an open car, it also seems to hold together well. My car is no too old just 40 months, but aside from paint fade and worn interior (slight) it is otherwise near new.

Well I'm not trying to put down other cars at all or to put a S2000 on a pedestal, and lord knows it wouldn't hurt for it to get some extra power (like the Boxster has). But maybe Honda's 'time capsule' approach to development or lack thereof has helped the Honds stay true to it's roots and price range as well as left the auto world with a rock for reference to other cars.

A car that's 7 going on 8 which spans Z3 to Z4 and C5 to C6. A car that was out long before Scolstice/Sky or Nissan Z. And shows no signs of going anywhere.

gomarlins3

Nice recap of the past 7 years.

dyhppy

agreed, more power would make it respected by others. similar to a CPU with more GHZ. but as other car makers continue to climb upwards, it still feels like its a different kind of advancement. the kind that the s2000 already achieved back in 99. no one will consider it the greatest car, but in reality, given it's price, not having to worry too much about it and what you get, it one of the greatest to me.

rai

I'm about in the middle (so far) of the S2000. I got the last of the ap1s. Like classic coke it's still good.

One thing that's OK about not changing very much is it's less tempting to trade in on the new-gen. Yes I'd like the bigger wheels or the stability control. HELL YES I'd like the airbag cut-off.

But by and large my 03 is much like any other MY. So it's not worth the $10K plus to trade. I was tempted by the airbag cut off. But not enough of a difference for me to justify.

slimjim8201

This car garners a certain level of respect, that is for sure.

I'm just tired of new passengers asking me if it is FWD or RWD

NNY S2k

I feel the same way about my 02.

hirev

nice thoughts, i can agree with most of them, whether or not the press tells us that this is a really good car is not my concern, i already know it. And there really is nothing like it available, nothing.

Saki GT

When it came to 2004, The S was still the best all around car to me, and that still holds today. Even when the Sky Red Line is available, I'd still choose the S2000.

zbrewha863

Of course this is an S2000 site and most people are going to say that they love the S2000 because they chose to buy one over some of these other cars. But yeah, I did read that article on the M Roadster and they said something to the effect of "an S2000 is a much better handling car" -- it made me pee a little

Filthy Beast

There is really nothing else that appeals to me right now. I actually might buy an 07or 08 if thats the last year.